The Hockey News counts down the top 20 performers from the women's World Championship who played in the NCAA last season.
With the 2023 IIHF women's World Championship in the books, eyes will turn toward the 2023-2023 college and professional seasons, and 2024 international competitions. The World Championship tournament featured memorable performances from dozens of players who competed in the NCAA last season.
Here's a look at the top 20 performers from the women's Worlds who played in the NCAA last season.
- Caroline Harvey - USA, Wisconsin - Harvey was named an NCAA second team All-American and won a national championship with Wisconsin as a rookie. Harvey is the backbone of Team USA and was their most valuable player at the event, leading the tournament in scoring and being named the IIHF's top defender. She's mobile, contributes offensively, and can contain the best opposition in the world. Harvey is the real deal, and looks like USA's generational blueline leader.
- Sarah Fillier - Canada, Princeton - It's hard to argue Sarah Fillier as one of the best in the world. She's a pure scorer who was Canada's top producer in the tournament being named the tournament's top forward. The first-team All-Ivy League athlete is set to return to Princeton for her senior season where she'll continue to get the reps needed to...if you can believe it...get even better.
- Taylor Heise - USA, Minnesota - Heise, 23, was last year's World Championship MVP, and picked up where she left off as one of USA's top forwards at the tournament. She was named a top 3 player on the team by the IIHF yet again. The elite playmaker is at the end of her NCAA run. Next step, professional hockey.
- Alina Muller - Switzerland, Northeastern - In five NCAA seasons, Muller is a five-time All-American. The 25-year-old scored 254 points in 159 career games with Northeastern, and will be one of the most sought after players by professional teams this offseason after she announced her intention to play pro in North America at the Worlds. The former top forward at the Olympics is elite by all standards. Her creativity, and on ice intelligence are off the charts.
- Hannah Bilka - USA, Ohio State - The 22-year-old is using her extra season of NCAA eligibility to transfer from Boston College to Ohio State, who fell in the national championship final this year. Scoring more than a point per game with Team USA, Bilka captained Boston College last season, and will make a significant impact with the Buckeyes. She's part of USA's bright future.
- Nelli Laitinen - Finland, Minnesota - When discussing the best up and coming defenders in the world, that conversation begins and ends, at the moment, with Caroline Harvey and Nelli Laitinen. Playing alongside legend Jenni Hiirokoski on Finland's top pair, Laitinen faced weaker competition in Group B, but continued to show her willingness to transport the puck up ice, and her smothering and physical defensive play. Having only finished her rookie campaign in Minnesota, and named to the All-WCHA Rookie Team, the best is yet to come for the smooth skating Laitinen.
- Tessa Janecke - USA, Penn State - Janecke is electric. The NCAA's national rookie of the year did not disappoint as the youngest member of Team USA at the World Championship. In fact, she scored a point per game in the preliminary round playing on USA's second line, and added a pair of goals in the semifinals. Janecke plays a bullish style and when the puck arrives on her stick, she can break games open.
- Chloe Aurard - France, Northeastern - The Hockey East all-star will leave a gaping hole in Northeastern's lineup next season as she graduates to professional hockey. Aurard, despite her best efforts, was unable to keep France from relegation. Her team lacked depth, and Aurard's attempts to carry Team France were quickly overwhelmed by defenders swarming her. She's a leader with a deft scoring touch that will thrive at the next level.
- Emma Söderberg - Sweden, Minnesota-Duluth - Without Emma Söderberg, Sweden would not have stood a chance against Canada in the quarterfinals, or Finland in the placement game. She was calm and collected in net, and made saves that should not have been made. In short, she kept Sweden in games and gave their offense a chance to develop. Söderberg will be the backbone of Sweden's net for years to come. She turns pro this year.
- Cayla Barnes - USA, Ohio State - In the dying moments of the gold medal game, Cayla Barnes was on the ice defending against the top Canadian players. It's a responsibility that does not go unnoticed. Statistically Barnes trailed only Harvey and Megan Keller in time on ice among Ohio States defenders, and scored eights points in seven games.
- Abbey Murphy - USA, Minnesota
- Natalie Mlynkova - Czechia, Vermont
- Danielle Serdachny - Canada, Colgate
- Sandra Abstreiter - Germany, Providence
- Lacey Eden - USA, Wisconsin
- Klara Hymlarova - Czechia, St. Cloud State
- Emma Maltais - Canada, Ohio State
- Rory Guilday - USA, Cornell
- Sini Karjalainen - Finland, Vermont
- Andrea Braendli - Switzerland, Boston University
Honorable mention: Thea Johansson (Sweden, Mercyhurst), Gabrielle Hughes (USA, Minnesota-Duluth), Jenniina Nylund (Finland, St. Cloud), Haley Winn (USA, Clarkson), Sara Hjalmarsson (Sweden, Providence), Mira Seregely (Hungary, Maine), Britta Curl (USA), Noemi Neubauerova (Czechia, Providence), Sanni Ahola (Finland, St. Cloud State)
NCAA•Alina Muller•IIHF•Sarah Fillier•Caroline Harvey•Nelli Laitinen•Hannah Bilka•Taylor Heise•Tessa Janecke•Natalie Mlynkova•Chloe Aurard